Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mandee Starsiak, co-founder of Dr.inkers’ Choice, located in La Grange IL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My partner and I started a beverage business called Dr. inkers' Choice. We produce premium, prohibition-era cocktail mixers made by Drinkers, for Drinkers (TM). The inspiration for the company comes from family history during the Prohibition Era, and the story comes to life throughout all of our branding.

As individuals, my partner and I share a handful of core values that are the basis for our company, but ultimately our focus is on bringing people together. We realize the importance of community, and we welcome everyone with open arms to join us! This is why our mixers come in a 12oz bottle that is made to share! Each bottle of Dr. inkers' Choice makes a minimum of 2 cocktails, and we truly believe they enhance every cocktail that is made with them.

Our customer is anyone that is dedicated to their craft but also likes to enjoy a cocktail (or mocktail) after a long day's work. Dr. inkers' Choice premium mixers celebrate the simple pleasure of being yourself because everyone deserves a cheers. We're there when you raise a glass to what matters, like community, a rebellious spirit, and having a damn good time.

Tell us about yourself

I have been in marketing all of my career and the beverage industry, more specifically for close to 10 years now. I have worked with companies of all sizes, from start-ups to fortune 500 and in between. After I left High Brew Coffee, my partner and I came together to discuss an idea and started chipping away at making it a reality. It has taken some time, but we have handled everything on our own, from formulations to logo development to branding & package design to sourcing ingredients & vendors for a wide variety of items to formalizing a partnership with our co-packer to designing and launching our website & online store to fundraising and so much more. It has been a significant amount of work, but we are so incredibly proud of how far we've come to get to this point. We still have a long way to go but know that with the right attitude, determination and dedication, we will get there!

My motivation to keep plugging away is, without a doubt, my family. I am fortunate to have three beautiful children and a husband that is beyond supportive of all of my ventures. I want to prove to myself that I can do this, but more than that, I want my children to see that when you set goals for yourself and put in the time, energy, and focus on accomplishing them, anything is possible!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been learning to believe in my own abilities. It may seem unusual to some as it's not a tangible accomplishment, but after having someone to report to throughout my career, it was a bit scary to be the decision-maker on everything as I built a brand from scratch without that boss to turn to for reassurance. Creating a logo and designing product packaging was a process, but it was the biggest first step for me in learning to trust myself and my instincts. And doing that was one thing but taking it and sharing it with people in the industry for feedback was intimidating. To this day, every time I receive positive feedback about the brand or the website or the packaging or the logo, it bolsters up my belief in myself and my abilities.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The most difficult thing that one must deal with as a business owner is handling all the different facets of the business. You don't have the liberty to focus on one thing all the time but must always consider and keep up with marketing, sales, operations, finance, admin, etc. It can be difficult to prioritize when you know you have tons to do, and everything feels like a priority.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Progress over perfection. Don't worry so much about everything being perfect, especially when you are getting started. Just focus on continuing to move things forward. With the right focus and dedication, you will eventually reach your goals.
  2. Don't let setbacks or even failures get you down. Perseverance is key. Being an entrepreneur is not easy; otherwise, everyone would do it. Those that are able to take the hits and keep getting back up are the ones that will find success, even if not immediately.
  3. Never lose sight of what is most important to you. It is easy to get lost in the day to day so find time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture every once in a while to ensure you are on the path to accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.
  4. You are a product of your own thoughts so, believe in yourself, give yourself grace, keep it positive, and never give up. Dreams can always be accomplished but the path to get there is not for the faint of heart.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.drinkerschoice.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/drinkerschoicemixers
https://www.facebook.com/mandee.starsiak

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dr.inkerschoice/
https://www.instagram.com/starsiakmama/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/drinkerschoice/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandeestarsiak/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.